The tempestuous weather this fall that hit the Caribbean spared several islands where there was little to minimal damage. If you are in search of a getaway where you can play a good round of golf and perhaps spend some time on a beach this winter, here are a few places worth checking out.
The Abaco Club at Winding Bay, Abaco Island, Bahamas
The Abaco Club at Winding Bay on Abaco Island offers a true Scottish-style links course designed by renowned golf architects, Donnie Steel and Tom Mackenzie. The par 72 course is 7,138 yards and makes the most of its seaside location with pot bunkers and challenging, sloping greens. A long course that is designed to play firm and fast, the course is not typical of the Caribbean. There is also a world-class practice facility with a double-end range as well as a short-game practice area designed to enable players to practice every shot of 100 yards or less. Although the club is private, there are rental villas on the property and guests are able to play the course. International memberships are available to those who do not own a home at the club or elsewhere in the Bahamas. Members have the right to bring guests and are allotted 20 tee times per year.
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas
The Ocean Club's golf course offers striking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Nassau Harbor. The Tom Weiskopf-designed course is a par-72 that stretches over 7,100 yards on Paradise Island peninsula, where crosswinds challenge even the most experienced players. Like other Weiskopf courses, this one was designed to integrate the natural landscape. Management of The Ocean Club was recently taken over by Four Seasons Resorts & Hotels. Greens fees through December 31 2018 are $275 ($195 after 1 pm) and $295 from January 1 through April 30 ($245 after 1 pm). The Ocean Club is a private resort, and only guests are able to use the golf course.
Mid Ocean Club, Bermuda
Recognized as the best golf course on Bermuda by golf afficianados, the Mid Ocean Club was designed by famed golf architect Charles Blair Macdonald in 1921 and modified by Robert Trent Jones during the 1950's. The most difficult hole is the fifth, which is a par 5 that is 433 yards long from the Blue tee. The Mid Ocean Club is a private members' club with 20 guest cottages for members and their guests. Visitors are welcome to play the course mid week, subject to availability. Greens fees are $250 per round of 18 and caddies are available for a fee. Golf clubs, shoes, pull carts and electric golf cards with GPS are also available for rent.
The Tryall Club, Jamaica
The Tryall Club is set on 2,200 acres of natural beauty and its golf course is rated as one of the Caribbean's finest. Designed by Ralph Plummer, the course is designed around the 17th century sugar plantation's layout with the coastline and landscape's natural features. The course is known for its unique hazards, including the trade winds, and a new ocean-side fourth hole has been added. As the club is private, the greens never get crowded. During the spring and summer of 2017, the front nine holes of the course were renovated---they reopened on November 1. Equity memberships are reserved for homeowners with privileges extended to spouse, children and grandchildren. Overseas golf non-equity memberships are offered to persons who do not own a home on Jamaica. Privileges extend to spouse and children under 30. Temporary memberships are extended to guests renting Tryall villas.
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Four Seasons Nevis
The Four Seasons Nevis offers a course designed by Robert Trent Jones II with beautiful views of Nevis Peak. The par 71 course opened in 1991 with a yardage of 6,766 and a rating difficulty of 73.6. Greens fees through April 30 2018 are $230 for 18 holes and $165 for nine holes. There's also a natural grass practice facility on site.
The Sandy Lane, Barbados
The Green Monkey at the Sandy Lane hotel is an ultra-exclusive, 72 par, 7,343 golf course designed by Tom Fazio on the site of an old limestone quarry. Exposed rock faces form dramatic contrasts to the lush, rolling greens of the fairways and offer tremendous elevation change. Greens fees are steep at around $400 and you must be a guest at the resort to play. The Green Monkey course is exclusive to guests staying at the Sandy Lane hotel. A caddie is mandatory with every tee time. There are two other courses at the resort, including The Old Nine and The Country Club.
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
Casa de Campo offers three courses designed by award-winning designer, Pete Dye. Dye Fore is comprised of 27 holes stretched over more than four miles, with 360-degree views of the Caribbean, the Dominican mountains, the Chavon River and Casa de Campo Marina. Holes 12 and 15 are considered two of the greatest par-threes in the world.
Teeth of the Dog is consistently ranked the number one course in the Caribbean and ranks among the top 50 courses worldwide. This Pete Dye-designed course features signature Dye obstacles.
The Links course, also designed by Pete Dye, is reminiscent of traditional English and Scottish courses, except with magnificent sea views and lagoons dotting the terrain. The obstacles on this course are as challenging as those of the other courses on the property. Highlights include guinea grass roughs, multiple sand traps and water hazards on five of the holes.
